knee arthroscopy

[jackofive]

Hi guys i have just undergone a knee arthroscopy on my left knee a week ago, I am 26 years old and am a keen footballer. I have been unable to play for the last 7 months due to prolonged diagnosis of my injury which turned out to be a tear in my cartlidge, Having had the surgery my knee feels good but still some slight tweaks... Is this normal? Obviously i have not tried running or anything to much to soon, but have been doing the exercises set for me by the physio. I am scared that when i do eventually start increasing my rehab that my knee is going to swell again and leave me back at square one...Am i just worrying to much, is there anything i can do to prevent the same injury ocuring again.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Regards Simon Jackson

[Heidi]

Hi Simon,

Some tweaks and discomfort following an arthroscopy is quite common.
Its good that you are following the exercises set for you by your physio. Keep it up!

He/she should progress you slowly onto more difficult exercises. As long as you feel no sharp pain whilst exercising, any aching or small tweaks are ok. It may well swell up following your exercises initially, but as long as you ice it following your rehab sessions it shouldn't be a problem and should stop swelling once it heals fully.

The only way you will be back at square one is if you tear the cartilage again. There is no reason why, with a good rehab program to fully strengthen the knee (and proprioception work and gradual return to sport), that you would be any more susceptible to this than anyone else is.

I hope this helps

Heidi

[janeho]

Hi I am a physio so have extensive rehab experience following meniscal tears and arthroscopies, but can also sympathize from a personal point of view having been there myself.
I assume your physio has shown you some quads work, that will probably then be progressed to doing some exercises weight bearing. When you are ready start with some gentle running, then add some speed changes, finally add in direction changes until you are confident pivoting on that leg - this stage of rehab can take a fair while. You are then ready to recommence your football training and finally get back into playing.
Keep going with the exercises - it can be hard to motivate yourself, but its worth it in the end